A Glimmer Of Hope

2011 has been a wonderful year in its own way, but I for one can't wait to begin 2012. I have so many ideas brewing for French Charmed, and I just have a feeling that this year is going to be spectacular all around! I usually end up making seemingly impossible resolutions (finally get organized! learn how to swim! become a world-famous jazz singer!), but this year, I think I'll keep it simple: I'm going to try and recognize a beautiful moment about each and every day, no matter how small and simple that moment might be. I truly do believe that if we live in the present, enjoy the blessings that are right in front of us and be thankful for what we already have, we will be happier people all around. So that's what I plan to do! What are some of your New Year resolutions? I hope one of them is to swing by and see some of the gorgeous new products we have in the French Charmed boutique! There's no better way to start a new year than treating yourself to something special, right? Love and hugs to you all!

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: elizabethannedesigns.com, favim.com, mallofamerica.com, corksandcaftans.com, citified.blogspot.com, Life Magazine, lipseyeshair.tumblr.com, curioussofa.com

The Simple Life

A new year calls for new tricks, and luckily, we've found 25 clever little ideas that will make your life about a million times easier! Here are a couple of our favorite ingenious tips and tricks that we definitely start to implement right away, and you can click here for the rest. All we can say is: Genius!

Egg cartons make perfect containers to store your Christmas decorations!

Use wire to make a space against the ceiling of a closet to store wrapping paper rather than have the rolls take up space on the floor!

Place folded sheets within their matching pillowcase to keep sets together!

Use a straw to easily hull strawberries! (A straw for "straw"berries? Who'd have thunk it!)

Rubbing a walnut on wood furniture hides dings and scratches!

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: thegypsyfish.blogspot.com, all others from thedailybuzz.com.au

JOYEUX NOEL

Wishing you your very own white Christmas. Joyeux Noel darlings!

Photo courtesy 27b(re) Austria

Walk On Ice

Don't know how to iceskate and have been too afraid to try? You could skip whirling around the rink and instead don a pair of heels inspired by the chilly weather accoutrement! We'd love to hear what you think about the daring trend. Hot or not?

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: gomoneyways.com, shoeperwoman.com, thecrypticbeauty.blogspot.com, blogfullofjelly.blogspot.com

A Holly Gorgeous Christmas

Are visions of sugarplum fairies dancing in your heads? They are for me dears, as I'm enjoying everything beautiful and feminine about the holidays. And I hope you are, too. Gorgeous ornaments, delectable treats, vintage music and glitzy dresses galore! Hidden within these wonderful photos is something special you can buy in the French Charmed boutique that would feather your fancy year-round. Can you guess which one holds the delicate delight?

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: bluevelvetvintagecom, shoes-on.com, cocokelly.blogspot.com, frenchcharmed.com, nuhomedesigns.com, hostessblog.com, temptalia.com, seekatesew.blogspot.com, marthastewart.com, lachanelphile.com, lanaaustinmotif.com, etsy.com.

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

In my house, we usually serve a salty breakfast on Christmas morning to counterbalance all the sweets we get in our stockings. But there's something so special about holiday morning pain perdu (aka French toast), so I try and serve it on Christmas Eve morning, especially if I have guests in the house. My favorites are French toast with figs and mascarpone cream (so sophisticated!) and French toast with almonds and strawberries (crunchy and oh-so-sweet). But there a million different recipes to try. Here are some that sound intriguing to me:

Pain Perdu with Almonds and Strawberries

French Toast with Figs and Mascarpone Cream

Pear Stuffed French Toast

Baked Orange Pecan French Toast

Chocolate French Toast with Strawberries

Bon Appetit!

 

Photo credit: notquitenigella.com

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Okay, I wouldn't really suggest you serve puppy dog tails. But a lot of people equate escargot with being just as yucky as the popular children's saying, believing that the scrumptious little snails are icky slimy buggers pulled out of garden soil. But trust me when I say that the delicious delicacies are no more or less "disgusting" than eating a lobster, shrimp or crab from its shell. And they taste just as yummy! They may be difficult to find, but if you can track them down — either fresh or in a can — we suggest this fabulous escargots a la bourguignonne recipe from Emeril Lagasse. Très chic.

 

Photo credit: olympiaimc.org

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

By now, I'm sure you all have your trees and homes decorated, your presents wrapped and you're able to sit back and enjoy all that the holidays have to offer (well, most of you, anyway!). And as you are finally able to take a deep breath and relax, I truly hope you decide to try the delicious Red Velvet Cake Hot Cocoa recipe I posted, which will make leaning back and perusing these beautiful seasonal pics all the more enjoyable!

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: AD Espana Deciembre 2010, westelm.com, mygirlyside.tumblr.com, belgianpearls.com, eclecticrevisited.com, netpublicatior.com, affari.nu, rivieramaison.com